Atletico Madrid v Roma: Tense start in Spanish capital with Champions League knockout stages looming

It has been a hugely disappointing Champions League campaign so far for Atletico Madrid, with the runners up from 2016 and 2014 in serious danger of suffering an early exit.

Los Rojiblancos have been extremely ineffective in the final third, netting just twice in four matches and nowhere was their profligacy more evident than in the first matchday at the Stadio Olimpico.

Diego Simeone's men created enough chances to have won the game comfortably, yet had to settle for a 0-0 draw and a repeat result on Wednesday evening would seem them almost certainly eliminated.

Atleti head into the game short on confidence, with star forward Antoine Griezmann extending his longest ever goal drought at the weekend to eight league games by drawing a blank against Real Madrid and receiving whistles from the home fans as he was substituted.

While Atletico were holding on for a 0-0 draw against Real Madrid on Saturday, Roma were winning their city derby 2-1 against Lazio to record a sixth successive win in all competitions; therefore, the Giallorossi arrive in the Spanish capital in fine form and having caused Chelsea all sorts of problems at Stamford Bridge in their 3-3 draw last month before beating the Blues 3-0 in Rome, they will be confident of claiming a positive result at the Estadio Wanda Metropolitano.

Betfair price the Italians at 10/3 (4.33), while Atletico are offered at 9/10 (1.90) and the draw is available at 12/5 (3.40).

Analysing Atleti's recent results and performances, everything points to a low scoring match with their last nine games in all competitions seen under 2.5 goals and a repeat is offered at 8/11 (1.73), which will surely garner plenty of interest given the hosts' recent struggles.

However, Roma have been in solid scoring form which means that they could contribute to a game which ends up with more than 2.5 goals, so more tempting is backing the opening goal to come after the 29th minute at 6/5 (2.20) and a slightly cagey opening to the game is surely to be expected. 

First goal after 29th minute at 6/5 (2.20) for a 2pt stake with Betfair